Contents page analysis

Contents page analysis

 

 

This is a Kerrang! Contents page, which is very packed with information and images. This is what readers expect from a contents page as it contains a brief outline of the whole magazine. The masthead that reads ‘Contents’ is placed in the top left hand corner, in a yellow/ orange colour with a big, bold, cut out font which reflects the genre of the magazine ‘Rock music’. Under the title is the issue number and cover date, which are a convention of a magazine and is for the knowledge of the reader. This information is in a smaller white font which is still hugely visible to the reader.

 

The main image is placed in the top third of the page, amongst the masthead. The images is of a man, who is in a band called ‘Slash’ as shown below with the page number.  The picture is a medium/ close-up shot and he is placed in the right third of the image so that he is fully shown. The image is very dark which is associated with rock music as the connotations of black are danger, fear and mischief. The man is dressed fully in black with sunglasses, you can hardly see his eyes but it is obvious that he is making eye contact. This could be to intimidate the audience as he also has a little smirk on his face. On the other side of the image is two images of two of the pages from the magazine, these are marked with the page number and band that is presented on that page. This is a very effective thing on a magazine contents page as it makes it so much easier for the reader to find where the main articles are. These are the articles that the reader will want to read most as they are promoted on the front cover and contents as being the best in that issue.

 

In the rest of the page, the rest of the contents page is placed. This consists of the editorial which is a short message from the editor, telling the reader about what they have done this week in order to produce the issue. The editorial is a good way of the editor getting involved and having the chance to directly talk to the people who read and buy their magazine. Also, it is a convention of a magazine and it used in every contents page. It is completed with an image of themselves and a signature.

 

“Kerrang! This week” is a further title placed under the main image, to introduce what the contents of the magazine is. Kerrangs contents page has unique layout which is different to other magazines contents page, as all of the pages are under several headings. “Win!“ is one of the headings which is a buzz word and will definitely get the readers attention. Usually, magazines may just have the two, but this has a bigger variety which would make it much easier for the reader to find what they are looking for. The sub headings are bold and clear to notice, the under there is the page number and name of the page, some also include a brief description. They are set out in 4 columns in a neat order which makes the page look very professional. The pages are also split up by images of the bands in some cases which give the page a variety and makes it look more interesting.

 

The colour scheme for this contents page is black, white, red and yellow/orange which is the usual house style for Kerrang! These colours compliment each other very well and allow everything to be bold and easily seen. They also fit in with the genre and target audience as this magazine would not look right with bright colours such as green and pink. The target audience of predominantly men ages 16-25 would not appeal to a different house style.

 

Finally in the bottom right hand corner, is information about how to get a magazine prescription. A price, number and images are included which will persuade the reader to look into it. “Delivered to your door” makes it sound a really good deal and may sound appealing to the reader.